Hollyoaks' fire stunt director Penny Shales has revealed that she wants viewers to be moved to tears when they watch the shock scenes.

As announced last month, Bonfire Night will turn into a night of terror for the show's characters this November when a huge blaze begins at Il Gnosh before spreading to the upstairs flat and neighbouring buildings.

The storyline begins on screen on Friday, November 5 before continuing in a special block of episodes airing across the following week.

Speaking to Soaplife about the plot, Shales explained: "In the flat above Il Gnosh, we burnt for real. We set alight curtains and sofas. It was brilliant fun, it was like, 'What can we burn today?'"

However, she added: "The important thing is not, 'Ooh, we've burnt something'. Anyone can do that. It's about engaging the audience so they will be on the edge of their seats crying."

Hollyoaks' series producer Paul Marquess made similar remarks in an interview last month, explaining that the storyline should "make people cry an awful lot".

Show bosses have confirmed that the fire plot will see a number of characters bow out from the program. However, details of who will lose their lives in the disaster are being kept under wraps until transmission.